FILMS FOR SCHOLARS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 36, 11 August 1939, Page 4

FILMS FOR SCHOLARS

USE OF THE THEATRES

LOCAL EXPERIMENT

SUCCESS IN ENGLAND

In anticipation of a general experiment being made into the possibilities of suitable short films, screened in

ordinary theatres before groups

senior .pupils from primary schools, being used as an educational aid, a demonstration arranged at' the request of teachers in the Hutt Valley was given this week in the King George Theatre, Lower Hutt.

Several short subjects, including travelogues and general interest items, and pictures with historical backgrounds, were shown. There followed an informal discussion concerning the value or otherwise of "mass demonstrations" of films as against, or in conjunction with, the standardised educational films shown in the classrooms/

Dr. C. E. Beeby, Assistant Director of Education, who was present on behalf of the Education Department, said that the whole question was an important one that needed thinking about before a ■ decision could be arrived at. He added that when the time came for the Department to weigh the matter the suggestions of the teachers would be sympathetically considered.

Mr. A. R. McElwain, • representing Theatre. Management, Ltd., in answer to questions, said that a very wide range of suitable short subjects was available, and that the film industry was eager to co-operate in every practicable way with the educationists.

Mass demonstrations of films in local cinemas has been a feature of visual education in England for several»years. In a recent report issued by the London County Council, it was stated that "the aim of the experiment was to discover how far mass displays o£ films could be used to provide a fuller experience, to broaden the outlook of boys and girls, and to quicken their sympathetic . understanding of the lives and occupations of people remote from their own. The aim was not to develop any specific school syllabus, but to provide a background capable of enriching the significance of much, of the teaching of every school;" •

Displays were arranged for morning sessions. Attendance was. restricted to pupils of senior schools and to senior pupils of other schools. Head teachers of schools participating were asked to arrange, as far as possible, for the same pupils to ' attend a complete series. Each year approximately 13,840 pupils from 261 school departments took part in the experiment. The average range of children who came info the experiment was 11 to 15 years. A selection committee chose the films.

A questionnaire submitted to teachers two years ago revealed that over 90 per cent, of the schools were enthusiastic in their desire for further displays. It was agreed that the general knowledge of the children was undoubtedly widened, and that much information was gathered in a small span of time, so that attendance at the cinemas was actually time-saving. Many teachers welcomed the variety offered by the visit to the cinemas as an incentive to children's efforts. The committee appointed by the London County Council stated that it wa3 convinced that the experiment was a success and of definite educational value, this value consisting of the extension of the experience of a large number of children, effected in a stimulating and inexpensive way. In addition, the displays were said to have drawn the attention of the film makers to a new field awaiting development The committee was unanimously of opinion that the experiment should be continued, which recommendation was, and is still being, followed.